Daily writing prompt

What bores you?

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I believe that the body of Christ has been given the keys to the kingdom of Heaven– to the invisible government of God. Unfortunately, we have bound each other to religious tradition and casual formalism (2 Timothy 3:5) instead of losing one another into the glorious liberty of the children of God. (Romans 8:21)

I deeply believe that God the Holy Spirit is looking for Spirit-led leaders who will stop “lording it over” gatherings of the body of Christ and begin “overseeing.” That’s a vital and biblical key to spiritual awakening.

On his way to Jerusalem, Paul met with the elders, the older more mature believers in Christ’s congregation from Ephesus. He told them: “Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears. (Acts 20:28-31)

In a congregation of the body of Christ no man should be allowed to rise up, distort the truth of the priest of all believers, (1 Peter 2:9) and draw and keep Christians under his power and authority. (Matthew 20:25-28) Paul rebuked the Christians in Corinthians for doing that. “What I mean is this: One of you says, ‘I follow Paul,” another, ‘I follow Apollos,’ another, ‘I follow Cephas,’ still another, ‘I follow Christ.’ Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul?” (1 Corinthians 1:12-13)

Perhaps we have been drawn away from genuine discipleship. (Matthew 16:24) Observe how much attention pastors are given in churches. They are even called “Reverend.” Yet elders and overseers are set aside and made to keep silent in the congregation.

Churches need overseers, not one-man Sunday morning control. Leaders in the body of Christ are called “episkopos” in the Greek New Testament. It means “overseers” but is translated in most English Bibles as bishops. However, it’s extremely rare to find a church that allows overseers to fulfill their calling in the congregation.

When Christians come together overseers give oversight. They watch over the gathering. They don’t program it, direct it, or control it. They let God the Holy Spirit personally run the meeting as He inwardly prompts various Christ-followers to share songs, revelations, testimonies, prayers, Scriptures, short teachings, and gifts of the Spirit. (2 Corinthians 14:26)

Overseers allow the meeting to freely flow as led by the Spirit. (Romans 8:14) Should someone disrupt the flow or try to take control of the meeting; an overseer redirects it back into the hands of the Holy Spirit. Let’s restore the oversight of overseers!

When Christians gather to experience Jesus together and all be led by the Spirit, He takes control and demonstrates His presence. Christ died for you so He can now live in you, reign in you, and build His kingdom within you. Anything less isn’t biblical Christianity.

If you are a pastor, ask God to help you identify and empower the other overseers in the congregation. Then step back and rely on the Holy Spirit to take charge of the meeting. As overseers keep watch from the side you will see the priesthood of the believer gloriously demonstrated as ordinary believers open their heart to one another and show and tell what God has done. Dare to give it a try. If you need some training, I’m ready to help. Google Beyond Church Ekklesia. Contact me at: stsimms@live.com

When Christians gather
To be Spirit-led
With Christ as their Head
The kingdom of God
Will be in their midst.
They will taste and see
Heaven’s victory.
This world is a mess;
Don’t settle for less.